The company will design, build, operate and maintain low carbon district heating networks for 26 high-rise blocks across Leeds over the next three years. The ‘Clustering for Warmth’ initiative forms part of Leeds City Council’s £100m investment in improving energy efficiency of its housing stock by 2025.
The initiative will involve replacing old electric storage heating in the 26 high-rise blocks and installing low carbon district heating networks predominantly utilising GSHPs. GSHP shared loop systems are a key decarbonisation technology, which will reduce residents' carbon emissions and energy bills.
As part of its goal to tackle the climate emergency, decarbonise the city and achieve net zero, Leeds City Council is committed to reducing the carbon impact of its highest emitting housing stock by targeting properties currently operating with inefficient electric storage heaters. At the same time the GSHPs substantially cut residents' energy bills reducing the risk of fuel poverty.
As well as providing significant CO2 emissions reductions and resident energy bill savings, the initiative will create 12 jobs, four apprenticeships and 10 work experience placements for Leeds residents within the construction and energy sectors.
Dan Ludgate, director of energy infrastructure at Cenergist, said: “We are committed to helping our customers deliver net zero carbon emissions through our low carbon heating systems. In deploying Cenergist’s GSHP solutions, not only can we help Leeds City Council achieve its goal in decarbonising the city, but we can also help to serve the needs of the community, by providing significant bill savings for residents.”
Councillor Debra Coupar, deputy leader and executive member for communities, said: “Earlier this year, we made a bold pledge to invest £100 million into making council homes warmer, more affordable and greener and I am delighted to see that work being recognised nationally at this year’s Northern Housing Awards. It doesn’t mean we are stopping and we’re taking another big step to deliver on that pledge with this announcement.
“No Leeds resident should have to experience fuel poverty—but sadly one in 10 households currently does, which is why we are determined to tackle the issue proactively head on as a council through a wide-range of schemes such as this one. By upgrading some of our coldest homes to make them fit for the future, this ambitious scheme will not only help reduce fuel poverty but crucially also enable thousands of tenants to save money on their energy bills.